Home to the region’s largest water storage and main water treatment plant, Wurdee Boluc is central to Barwon Water’s services.
Here, about 80 million litres of water are cleaned to Australian standards every day before being distributed to homes and businesses in almost every direction.
At a tour of the plant in early May, more than 110 community members learnt about the process of collecting rainfall in the Otways and sending high-quality drinking water to their taps.
While Barwon Water regularly offers weekday school and community tours, this was the first time the gates were opened to the public on a weekend in many years.
Central Treatment Coordinator Simon McCracken and Plant Operator Michael Murphy (both pictured) were among the Barwon Water employees who led visitors on a site tour.
Built in 1992, the treatment plant filters, disinfects, and fluoridates drinking water supplied to customers in Winchelsea, Moriac, Anglesea, Airey’s Inlet, Torquay, Geelong, and the Bellarine Peninsula.
The adjoining reservoir was created in 1927, before being expanded in 1956 and 1991.
With a capacity of almost 38 billion litres, it is the largest in the region and can hold enough to support all of Barwon Water’s customers for a year.
However, ongoing dry conditions have seen storages at Wurdee Boluc Reservoir decline to around 42 per cent.
More broadly, Geelong’s water storage is at a six-year low (39.6 per cent). The extremely dry period has led Barwon Water to encourage customers to use water wisely.
By making simple changes inside and outside your home, like taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, washing with full loads and not watering your garden in the heat of the day, you can lower your water and energy bills, and help the environment.
The Permanent Water Saving Rules – uniform across Victoria – help ensure we use all drinking-quality water wisely. www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/permanent-water-saving-rules
